Skip to Main Content

El Paso, Texas: The Sugar House: Folk Art Confection

RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report

Address:
4301 Leavell Ave., El Paso, TX
Directions:
North edge of the city. US-54/Patriot Fwy exit 25. Head south on the southbound frontage road (Gateway S. Blvd). When you pass the storage lot for Army vehicles on the right, you'll soon see the house on the right. Turn right at Leavell Ave.
RA Rates:
Major Fun
Save to My Sights

The Sugar House.

The Sugar House: Folk Art Confection

Rufino Loya labored for decades to make his yard pretty enough to please his wife. Its colorful, giddy ornamentation was inspired by colonial Mexican churches. He took it as far as possible, and then some more.

Roadsideamerica.com Report... [07/16/2023]

Visitor Tips and News About The Sugar House: Folk Art Confection

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

The Sugar House.

The Sugar House: Folk Art Confection

As of January 2024, the angel remains decapitated, but the Sugar House stands! While a few pieces have escaped their mortaring, the walk around the exterior fence is impressive, and the shrine to the Virgin of Guadalupe was loaded with fresh flowers.

[Loch Nest Farm, 01/27/2024]

House of Sugar.

House of Sugar: Folk Art Confection

House of Sugar: Lovely place. Worth the detour.

[Steph, 03/10/2020]

House of Sugar.

La casa de azcar AKA The House of Sugar

We went to see the La casa de azcar AKA The House of Sugar. This is someone's home!

While we were walking around and taking photos of the house, the owner came out. Rufino has been working on his house for 20 plus years. He's retired from Levi's. If you are smart you'll introduce yourself and allow him to walk with you and see the outside of the house. He talked about himself when we asked questions, and he was kind enough to translate the plaques to English, as my friend and I don't speak Spanish. I'd say he looks for visitors. Nobody builds a house like this and then doesn't want people to see it. Random strangers and weirdos stop to photograph his home all day long so it's awesome that he comes out to join you.

He has a tiny suggested donation can which helps with upkeep. The place requires a lot of pain and touch up to keep it looking nice. He said a donation was not necessary, but I gave him $10 to help with future upkeep and as a thank you for the pleasant conversation and impromptu tour.

[Trista Robinson, 04/14/2017]
The Sugar House

On our way there this place was a running joke, but once we arrived it was amazing! The work that was put into it is truly incredible. We had the chance to meet the owner who was kind enough to take us on a tour around his creation and talked in great detail about how he made everything. For those inspired, he does take donations to help pay for the upkeep.

[Joel and Tonya J., 12/31/2016]

Nearby Offbeat Places

Grave of Wild West's No. 1 KillerGrave of Wild West's No. 1 Killer, El Paso, TX - 4 mi.
1919 Vintage Gas Station1919 Vintage Gas Station, El Paso, TX - 4 mi.
National Border Patrol MuseumNational Border Patrol Museum, El Paso, TX - 5 mi.
In the region:
Uniroyal Gal, El Paso, TX - 14 mi.

Latest Tips Across Roadside America

Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.

Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!

Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Map and Plan Your Own Roadside Adventure ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

Texas Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

Easter Island Moai in America (Mar 25-31, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings